Game Thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Another night, another game against an opponent with a roster as incomplete as the Raptors’. It’s been since the Portland game that the Raptors played a team with a more or less full complement of players. That streak will continue through tonight, as the LeBron-less, Davis-less, Drummond-less defending champs. Of course we know the Raptors aren’t exactly a picture of health right now, either.

Such is life in this fake ass season where nothing matters. The strength of schedule metric tells you one thing, but the harsh realities of compressed season during a global pandemic render everything you think you know moot. Toronto probably has a better roster to throw on the court tonight than the Lakers tonight, but that probably means very little, especially considering how poorly the Raptors have held up on the second night of back-to-backs. At least they didn’t have to travel from Tampa to Detroit for this one...

Before tonight’s game, check out the preview from our guy Joseph. Here’s to Gary Trent Jr. and Malachi Flynn doing more cool and fun things.

Where to Watch:

TSN @ 7:30pm EST

Lineups:

Los Angeles — Dennis Schroeder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Markieff Morris, Marc Gasol <3

Toronto — DeAndre’ Bembry, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher

Injuries:

Los Angeles — Anthony Davis (Achilles — OUT), LeBron James (ankle — OUT), Jared Dudley (knee — OUT), Andre Drummond (toe — OUT)

Toronto — Kyle Lowry (toe — OUT), Fred VanVleet (hip — OUT), Rodney Hood (hip — OUT), Patrick McCaw (knee — OUT), Paul Watson Jr. (health & safety — OUT), Jalen Harris (hip — OUT)